Sports with Walter Moore

By | on June 03, 2009

Walter Moore

Johnson PromotedTo OffensiveCoordinator

Savannah State head football

coach Robby Wells has promoted Eddie Johnson to offensive coordinator. Johnson, who is beginning his second year with the SSU program, served as wide receivers and strength & conditioning coach last season. In addition to being offensive coordinator, Johnson will also be the new quarterback coach. The 40- year old Cincinnati, Ohio native replaces Alan Hall who left the program to become offensive coordinator/ quarterback coach at Winston-Salem State. Johnson has also coached at Newberry, Lenior-Rhyne, Wingate, Wofford, Marietta and Georgetown (Ky.).

Plump Runs InNCAA Regional

Savannah State freshman

Eric Plump participated in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field East Regional held at North Carolina A&T. The Columbus,GA native ran in the men’s 200m race. Plump failed to qualify for the NCAA Championships as he posted a time of 21.58 which was good enough for 23rd overall. Plump finished 5th in his heat. Plump will participate in the USATF National Junior Championships in Eugene,OR on June 24-26.

Fitch Is ClaflinAssistant AD

Former Savannah State athletics director Jerome Fitch is now working at Claflin in Orangeburg, SC as the Panthers assistant director of compliance. Fitch has been at Claflin since October 2008. He is the founder and CEO of the Fitch Group, a compliance and consulting firm. Fitch, who has over 30 years experience in athletic administration, serves as the Executive Director of “Athletes United,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging former athletes who have not obtained their degrees to return to college and graduate.

SSU Athletics OffProbation

In May 2006, the Savannah

State athletics department was placed on three years probation in a case involving major violations in its football program, by the NCAA. SSU’s time was up on May 18, 2009. The SSU case included a finding of unethical conduct against a former assistant coach, several recruiting violations, impermissible summer workouts with football prospects before their initial full-time enrollment and several prospects’ receipt of impermissible benefits, including free housing. There were also findings against the institution for lack of institutional control and failure to monitor its athletics program.